West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST) and HealthPrize Technologies, LLC, today announced the completion of the first two phases of their four-phase strategic collaboration. The companies are working to integrate HealthPrize’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) medication adherence and patient-engagement platform with West’s injectable drug delivery systems to provide an end-to-end connected health solution for pharmaceutical companies and the patients they serve. The combined offering will provide voluntary, electronically connected drug delivery systems that track when patients take their medication. The HealthPrize system engages and educates patients to increase adherence and medical literacy, rewarding interaction and compliance with prescribed treatment plans, and contributing to better health outcomes.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7625851-west-pharma-healthprize-tech-collaboration/
Many people think being on hospice means lying in a bed, barely conscious. However, this perception is not an accurate one. Many hospice patients' final moments are spent enjoying quality time with family and friends and creating special moments and memories. This would not be possible without the help of hospice.
The mission of hospice is to provide specialized care for patients in the final weeks and months of life and their families. More simply, hospice care supports living one’s life to the fullest with dignity regardless of how much time remains.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7429131-moments-of-life-by-hospice/
LUNGevity, the nation’s leading lung cancer-focused nonprofit organization today launched a new mobile application designed to make understanding and living with lung cancer less daunting and considerably more manageable. The new Lung Cancer Navigator mobile app provides lung cancer patients with access to the latest medical and treatment information related to their specific lung cancer diagnosis, and serves as a convenient hub for organizing customized care and support networks, asking questions, describing and tracking symptoms, and managing multiple medications.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7865551-lungevity-lung-cancer-navigator-app/
The European Head and Neck Society (EHNS) and the Make Sense Campaign, today announced the launch of the Third Annual Head and Neck Cancer Awareness week (21–25 September). Through the pan-European Awareness Week, the EHNS and Make Sense Campaign promote education on head and neck cancer risk factors, disease prevention and disease signs and symptoms for both patients and healthcare professionals.
“Each year 350,000 people are diagnosed with head and neck cancer across Europe, and over half will not be alive after five years. However, if diagnosed and treated earlier, patients can have an 80 – 90% survival rate.” said Professor René Leemans, President of the EHNS and Professor and Chief of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at VU University Medical Centre. “Through the Make Sense Campaign we are educating people about the early signs of the disease and encouraging them to seek professional help in a timely manner. Additionally, we are advocating for the best possible standards of patient care so that their outcomes can be optimised once they have been diagnosed with the disease.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7628151-support-head-neck-cancer-patients/
Kaléo, a privately-held pharmaceutical company, today announced the AUVI-Q® (epinephrine injection, USP) Auto-injector will be available by prescription starting February 14th, and announced AUVI-Q AffordAbility, a first-of-its-kind access program for AUVI-Q. Through this new program, patients with commercial insurance, even those with high-deductible plans, will have an out-of-pocket cost of $0. For patients who do not have government or commercial insurance, and have a household income of less than $100,000, AUVI-Q will be available free of charge. In addition, the cash price for AUVI-Q is $360 and will be available to those patients without government or commercial insurance. Each AUVI-Q prescription includes two Auto-injectors and one Trainer for AUVI-Q.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7981051-auvi-q-epinephrine-auto-injector-access-and-availability-launch/
Studies show that more than two-thirds of aesthetically-oriented consumers are bothered by submental fullness, or “double chin.” And with social media profile images becoming more important than ever, there is interest in looking one’s best.
Submental fullness due to fat beneath the chin can impact a broad range of both men and women and because the condition can be genetic and resistant to diet and exercise. But there’s KYBELLA®, the first and only FDA-approved injectable treatment that is available by prescription only, that has been proven to improve the appearance of moderate to severe fat beneath the chin by physically destroying fat cells in the treatment area. In two pivotal clinical studies for KYBELLA®, reductions in submental fat volume were observed more frequently in the KYBELLA® treated group of 514 patients compared to the placebo group (508 patients) as measured by both clinician and patient ratings. In addition, visual and emotional impacts of submental fat (happy, bothered, self-conscious, embarrassed, looking older or overweight) were evaluated using a 6-question survey and 79% of 1 and 2-grade composite responders reported satisfaction after 12 weeks post final treatment compared with 33.6% of patients who received placebo.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7962051-kybella-injectable-double-chin-treatment-campaign/
As millions of Americans begin choosing a health plan for the first time under the Affordable Care Act, the new Healthgrades American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2014: Report to the Nation released today reveals how hospital selection can dramatically impact a patient’s health. The report demonstrates that individuals are far more likely to die or suffer complications at hospitals receiving the lowest Healthgrades rating. In fact, each year an estimated 234,252 lives could potentially be saved and 157,418 complications could be avoided if all hospitals performed similarly to the highest rated hospitals.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/63942-healthgrades-american-hospital-quality-outcomes-2014-report-to-the-nation
Results from two national surveys of patients receiving chemotherapy and pharmacists, conducted by the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) in collaboration with Eisai Inc.,* found that 83% of patients receiving chemotherapy who have experienced chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) believe it is a side effect with which they must live. Results also showed that 95% of cancer patients surveyed believe that CINV has, at some point, had an impact on their daily lives. These national surveys are part of the Time to Talk CINV™ campaign, which aims to increase awareness among patients and caregivers about CINV prevention and the importance of speaking with their pharmacist and full healthcare team about this often preventable side effect.
“The survey results underscore the confusion patients who are undergoing chemotherapy have about CINV and the need for them to understand that there are ways to manage their symptoms so that they do not have to needlessly suffer with CINV,” said Scott Soefje, PharmD, MBA, BCOP, President, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) and Director of Pharmacy at the University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin, TX. “It is imperative that patients discuss CINV prevention early in treatment and with all members of the health care team, including pharmacists.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7560331-time-to-talk-cinv/
Global biotherapeutics leader CSL Behring today announced that results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) from the COMPACT study, a pivotal Phase III study evaluating the safety and efficacy of CSL830 (a novel, investigational, self-administered, subcutaneous C1-Esterase Inhibitor [C1-INH] Human replacement therapy) for the prevention of HAE attacks. The study met its primary efficacy endpoint, significantly reducing the time-normalized number of HAE attacks. In addition, the study met its secondary endpoints, including the responder rate (patients who had at least a 50% reduction in their attack rate) and the number of rescue medication uses. If approved by the FDA, CSL830 would be the first and only subcutaneous preventative therapy for HAE.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8056151-csl-behring-subcutaneous-c1-esterase-inhibitor-hae-patients/
A first-of-a-kind neural stem cell therapy that works with a common cold virus to seek out and attack a lethal and aggressive brain cancer is being tested at Northwestern Medicine in a Phase I clinical trial for patients newly diagnosed with malignant glioma.
The novel drug to treat malignant glioma, notorious for recurring after typical bouts of standard cancer treatment, was developed by a Northwestern scientist and has been approved as an investigational drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This is only the second time the University has supported and filed an investigational new drug as a sponsor.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7944251-northwestern-medicine-stem-cell-trial/
The most detailed analysis yet of the role germline mutations in genes associated with cancer predisposition play in the development of childhood cancer suggests that comprehensive genomic screening may be warranted on all pediatric cancer patients, not just those with a family history of cancer. The study from the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project appears in the November 19 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Ultimately, researchers anticipate that systematic monitoring of patients and family members who have germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes will allow the detection of cancers at their earliest and most curable stage, thereby improving the outcomes for these children and family members.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7692851-st-jude-hospital-genome-project/
Research shows that patients who don’t consistently follow their regular medication regimen are at risk for death or hospitalization. During American Pharmacists Month in October, American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation is launching the Align My Refills campaign to help patients and caregivers maintain their medication regimen with patient resources and the aid of their local pharmacist.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7337851-american-pharmacists-association-foundation-align-my-refills-campaign/